Tigers sign All-Star infielder who opted out of Yankees contract

The Detroit Tigers signed a Major League veteran of nine seasons on Tuesday morning. 

According to the New York Post's Jon Heyman, infielder Paul DeJong has signed a minor league contract with the AL Central club. 

DeJong recently opted out of his minor league deal with the New York Yankees after he did not receive a call to the big leagues. However, the 32-year-old did hit six home runs at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 

Despite playing most of his career at shortstop, DeJong can also shift to second or third base. That creates more possibilities for him to find a path to playing time in the Majors with the Tigers. 

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He is now seven years removed from an All-Star campaign with the St. Louis Cardinals. DeJong's 30 homers and 78 RBIs in 2019 remain a career high. 

Infielders Javier Baez, Zach McKinstry, and Trey Sweeney are all on the injured list for the Tigers, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see DeJong get an opportunity sometime soon. 

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